Strong winds start ISAF Nations Cup Grand Final

Vladivostok, Russia (July 15, 2015) – The eighth edition of the ISAF Nations Cup Grand Final commenced today with 14 teams match racing the Platu 25 in the Open and Women’s Divisions. The schedule was initially postponed due to strong winds, but once the winds fell beneath 20 knots the sailing started, with 27 matches in all for the day.

Two sailors, America’s Nicole Breault and Russia’s Vladimir Lypavskiy, both ended the day with a perfect record to sit top of their respective divisions. Breault leads the Women’s division with two wins from two on the day while in the Open division Lypavskiy boasts four from four.

Lypavskiy’s perfect record was under severe pressure during his match with Japan’s Kohei Ichikawa. In a tight encounter, Lypayskiy was penalized for not keeping clear during the tack, but he managed to win the match in the final centimeters when he took his penalty just at the finishing line using all of his luffing rights.

The 2015 edition of the ISAF Nations Cup Grand Final welcomes back the victors from the 2013 edition that was held in Middelfart, Denmark. The women’s winners, Brazil, are represented by the team that brought them success two years ago, led by Juliana Senfft. After the opening day Senfft has a win and a loss to her name.

2013 Open gold medallists, Australia, have Evan Walker leading the charge. The Australian picked up three victories from the opening day but was hit by an in-form Lypavskiy. Nonetheless Walker remains in a good position moving into the second day.

The schedule from Wednesday through Sunday, July 15-19, has a double round-robin planned for the nine teams in the Open Division, with a multi-round robin for the five Women’s teams. The teams that progress from the round-robin qualification will contest the semi-finals and finals on Saturday and Sunday.

Open Results – Women’s Results – Event Website – ISAF Event Microsite – Facebook

Background
Formed in 1991, the ISAF Nations Cup aims to broaden the availability of match racing to provide international competition for sailors at a reasonable cost. The Grand Final welcomes qualifiers from each of the Regional Finals ensuring a wide spread of nationalities engaging in the sailing discipline.

With teams from Brazil, USA, Great Britain, Algeria, Bahrain, Japan and Australia competing at the 2015 edition, the spread of nations covers every continent with all of the competitors capable of taking the honours.

Throughout the years the Nations Cup has also welcomed some of today’s finest sailors. Names such as Jesper Bank (DEN), Ed Baird (USA), Roy Heiner (NED) and Peter Holmberg (ISV) have all represented their nation at the event so expect to see this year’s winners in the big time soon.